Wire-drawing mechanism



Aug. 6, 1929. V v, T|PPET 1,723,316

WIRE DRAWING MECHANISM Filed April 9, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

Pi/121,6 k" fippea A TTORNEYS Patented Aug. 6, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP V. TIPPET, OF CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO, ASSIGN 'OR TO THE VAUGHN HA-CHINERY COMPANY, 'OF CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

WIBE-DRAWIN G MECHANISM.

Application filed April 9' The present improvements, relating, asindicated, to wire drawing mechanism, have more particular regard to themeans provided for driving the drawing blockor drum, whereby theoriginal rod is reduced to the desired diameter. WVhether in acontinuous wire drawing bench, when a series of such drums is regularlyemployed, the rod or wire being passed through a corresponding series ofdies, one located in advance of each such block, or in a single drummachine having a single die associated therewith, the blocks areordinarily mounted on the upper ends of vertical shafts or splndles-andthese are driven from a back shaft through suitable interposed gearing.

I am aware that it has heretofore been proposed in so-called continuouswire drawing benches to substitute for a drive of the type justdescribed an individual motor drive for the separate blocks or drums andthen rely upon a change in speed of the several motors, such speed beingcontrolled by familiar motor-control devices, to produce the necessaryvariation in speed of rotation of such block; however, the practicaldifficulties involved in applying a separate motor drive to theindividual blocks is not as simple a matter as might be supposed and nocommercial success has been attained in the utilization of suchindividual drive.

The object of the present invention, accordingly, is the provision of aself-contained unit comprising an individually driven wire blocksuitably mounted on a stand and having a motor connected therewiththrough a worm and worm gear drive housed in such stand and havingassociated with the latter the necessary devices for controlling thespeed of the motor and thus of the particular block driven thereby. Theunits thus provided being self contained, any desired number may beassembled to form a drawing bench with the requisite number of blocks ordrums to meet the special requirements of the mill being designed.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, theinvention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying theinvention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but

1924. Serial 1T0. 705,223.

one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the inventionmay beused.

In said annexed drawingszi Fig. 1 is a plan view of one of theindividually motor driven self-contained units of my improved wiredrawing mechanism; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, asviewedfrom the left in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of suchunit taken on the plane indicated by the line 33, Fig. 4; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical central section of the same, the plane of 'thesection being indicated by the line 44, Fig. 1.

As best indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. the main frame 1 of my improvedsingle block unit is a rectangular box-like structure, preferably formedof an integral casting that is firmly supported by means of feet 2 on asubstantial base 3. The bottom or floor 4 of such box-like frame slopestowards one side, i. e., the left as shown in Fig. 4, an thelateralwalls of such frame are imperforate save for a transverse opening-5 in the front wall which is closed in the assembled condition of theparts by a cover plate 6. Note should also be taken of smaller openings7 and 8-in the rear and front walls, respectively, wherewith areconnected lubricant supply and discharge lines 9 and 10, by means ofwhich lubricant may be maintained at any desired height in the chamberthus provided within the hollow frame 1.

The top of the hollow frame 1 is closed by a heavy plate 12 that notonly forms a cover for such box, but also serves to support a bearing 13for the vertical spindle 14,

the upper end of which projects above such 1 plate and carries thedrawing block or drum 15. It will be noted that this bearing 13 isconstructed to take the axial thrust of the spindle in both directions,as well as to support said spindle laterally, and that the lower end ofthe spindle is simply 'journaled laterally in a bearing 16 provided onthe floor 4 of the hollow frame 1, radial ribs 17 on such floor servingto strengthen the latter and brace such hearing.

A supplemental top or table 20 is supported by the frame 1, being fittedover the upper portion of such frame so as to lie on substantially thesame level as top plate 12, and rising from such table is a circularflange 21 that surrounds the lower depending flange portion 22 of thehloclr 15. The form of table 20 is preferably rectangular, as shown inbig. 1, such table including a lateral extension 23 at one side thereofthat serves to bridge the space between such table and the next adjacenttable where a plurality of units are placed side by side to form adrawing bench. An angularly projecting bracket 2% is also provided with.its top substantially on'thelevel of the table 20 to support the usualdie-holder 25 and guide 26 through which the rod or wire passes to suchblock on its way to the drum 15.

The base 3 on which frame 1 is support.

ed, as hereinbefore described, is extended to the rear and on suchextension 30 is mounted a motor 31, the spindle 32 of which is one inwhich the transversely extending opening 5 occurs, as heretoforedescribed, and the bearings 35 and 36 are held in suitable complementaryrecesses formed at each end of such opening and the adjacent portions ofthe cover plate 6. The portion of shaft 34 lying intermediate of sa1dbearings is provided with a worm 37 that meshes with a worm gear 38,keyed or otherwise nonrotatablymounted on the vertical shaft 1% thatcarries the block 15. The worm and worm gear drive for the shaft thusprovided, it will be seen, is wholly contained within the hollowinterior of frame 1 which not only protects such gearing but alsopermits a body of lubricant to be maintained at a sufiicient elevationin such hollow frame interior to partly or wholly submerge the gearingand thus insure thorough lubrication at all times. Bearing 36 and thecorresponding end of worm shaft 34 is sealed by means of a cap 39 (Fig.3), while a gland 40 similarly seals the other end of said shaft whereit passes through bearing 35, thus preventing any escape of'lubricantexcept by way of discharge pipe 10.

The supply of current to the motor 31 is controlled in the first placeby switch box 41, conveniently mounted at the rear end of the tableextension 23 and including a motor field rheostat with field. rheostatrelay operated by means of a handle 42; while a grid resistor {l3 and acontroller 44 of standard type are mounted on the base extension 30laterally adjacent motor 31, such controller being operated through alink 45 from a lever 46 pivotally attached to the table extension 23 andextending upwardly through an elongated recess 47 therein.

The guide 26 is in fact a safety device constituting one end of a leverthat is suitably connected with a switch of standard type in the. motorcircuit arranged to apply dynamic-braking to the motor. The entire Theside in question is the machine can thus be stopped within five or sixinches travel on the block by a slight pull on device 23, and anyonecaught in a loop of the wire cannot avoid striking this device andconsequently stopping the block before any injury can be done. he devicefurthermore is in easy reach for manual operation at any time. Dynamicbraking is also applied to the motor whenever the main control switch isoperated by lever to, the action being the same as when the safetydevice is operated.

The finished coil of wire on the drum will of course be removed in theusual way with a suitable stripper (not shown), this forming no part ofthe machine, proper.

The construction of the machine is particularly designed to facilitatethe assembly and disassembly of the parts- By removing plate 8, the wormshaft 34 along with the bearings associated with its respective ends maybe bodily removed, and similarly by unbolting top plate 23, it togetherwith the vertical spindle 1a and its bearings may be directly withdrawnfrom the hollow frame 1. The flexible coupling 33 between the motor andworm shaft 34 is furthermore designed so that said shaft can be removedin the manner just described without backing the motor oft.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my improv d unitarydrawing block is oi extremely compact and yet sturdy construction; alsothat such unit is entirely self-contained, including as it does notmerely the drawing block proper with necessary accessories, but a motorwhereby such block is independently driven. The

devices for controlling the operation of such motor, and thereby thespeed of rotation of the block, are so disposed as to be within aconvenient reach of the operator attending the block or series of blockswhere a number of the latter are arranged in a row. More particularattention, however, is directed to the construction of the hollow frame1 and the worm drive that is mounted therein so as wholly to becontained within the interior of such frame. The arrangement of thebearings for the worm shaft 34 is such as to insure not only properalignment of the worm with the worm gear, but also the thoroughlubrication of such bearings and gearing at all times.

The use of worm gears is preferred since by immersing these in oil, allnoise and vibration are practically eliminated. Furthermore, on accountof the teeth being always in contact, the wire is pulled more steadilyand smoothly through the die than is the case with straight tooth gears.This smooth pull, at the same time decreases the wear on the dies.

@ther modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead or" the one explained, change being made as regards themechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of thefollowing claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention-:-

1. In wire drawim mechanism, a selfcontained unit including a hollowframe, a support bridging the top of said frame, a vertical spindleprojecting above and journaled in said support, the lower end of saidspindle being journaled in the bottom of said frame, a drum carried bythe upper, projecting end of said spindle, a transverse shaft alignedwith the one side of said frame and journaled at its respective ends inthe adjacent walls of said frame, a worm gear on said spindle, and aworm on said shaft meshing with said gear.

2. In wire drawin mechanism, a self contained unit including a hollowframe, a support brid ing the top of said frame, a vertical spindleprojecting above and journaled in said support, being held against axialthrust as well as laterally therein, and

the lower end of said spindle being laterally journaled in the bottom ofsaid frame, a

; drum carried by the upper, projecting end of said spindle, atransverse shaft aligned with the one side of said frame and journaledat its respective ends in the adjacent walls of said frame, a worm gearon said spindle, and a worm on said shaft meshing with said gear.

3. In wire drawin mechanism, a selfcontained unit inclu ing a hollowframe with laterally imperforate walls save for an opening in one side,a removable plate closing such opening, a support bridging the top ofsaid frame, a vertical spindle projecting above and journaled in saidsupport, the lower end of said spindle being journaled in the bottom ofsaid frame, a drum carried by the upper, projecting end of said spindle,a transverse shaft aligned with' the opening in the one side of saidframe and journaled at its respective ends in the adjacent sidewalls ofsaid frame, a worm gear on said spindle, and a worm on said shaftmeshing with said gear.

4. In wire-drawing mechanism, a selfcontained unit including a hollowframe with laterally imperforate walls save for an opening in one side,a removable plate closing such opening, a top-plate for said frame, avertical spindle projecting above and j ournaled in said top-plate, thelower end of said spindle being journaled in the bottom of said frame, adrum carried by the upper, projecting end of said spindle, a transverseshaft aligned with the opening in the one side of said frame andjournaled at its respective ends in the adjacent side-walls of saidframe, a worm gear on said spindle, and

a worm on said shaft meshing with said gear. v

5. In wire-drawing mechanism, a selfcontained unit including a hollowframe with laterally imperforate walls save for an opening in one side,a removable plate closing such opening, said plate and the adjacentportions of the wall being formed with complementary recesses,transversely aligned bearings held in such recesses, a top-plate forsaid frame, a vertical spindle projecting above and journaled in saidtop-plate, the lower end of said spindle being journaled in the bottomof said frame, a drum carried by the upper, projecting end of saidspindle, a shaft journaled in said transversely aligned bearings, aworm-gear on said spindle, and a wornr on said shaft meshing with saidgear.

contained unit including a hollow frame with laterally imperforate wallssave for an opening in one side, a removable plate 0105- c ing suchopening, said plate and the adjacent portions of the wall being formedwith complementary recesses, transve'i'sely aligned bearings held insuch recesses, a top-plate for said frame, a vertical spindle projectingabove and journaled in said top-plate, the lower end of said spindlebeing journaled in the bottom of said frame, a. drum carried by theupper, projecting end of said spindle, a shaft journaled in saidtransversely aligned bearings and extending through one such bearingbeyond said frame, a stuffing box associated with said last-mentionedbearing, a cap externally closing off the other aligned bearing, aworm-gear on said spindle, and a worm on said shaft meshing with saidgear.

7. In wire-drawing mechanism, a self-- contained unit including a base,a hollow frame secured to said base, a vertical spindle rotatablymounted in said frame and projecting thereabove, a drum carried by theupper end of said spindle, a transverse shaft located and journaled atits respective ends in said frame, one such shaft end projecting withoutsaid frame, a worm-gear on said spindle, a worm on said shaft meshingwith said gear, a motor mounted on said base without butadjacent saidframe, the spindle of said motor being approximately aligned with saidshaft, and a coupling connecting the projecting end of the latter withsuch motor spindle.

8. In wire-drawing mechanism, a selfcontained unit including a hollowframe, a vertical spindle rotatably mounted in said frame and projectingthereabove, a drum carried by said spindle at its upper end, atransverse shaft journaled at its respective ends in said frame andlaterally removable from said frame, a worm gear on said spindle, and aworm on said shaft meshing 6. In wire-drawing mechanism, a selfwith saidgear, said worm and gear lying within said frame, the latter beingconstructed and arranged to form an oil-tight housing for said gearing.

9. In wire drawing mechanism, a selfcontained unit including a hollowframe, av removable support bridging said frame, a vertical spindleprojecting above and journaled in said member, and a drum carried by theupper projecting end of said spindle, the lower end of the latter beingjournaled in the bottom of said frame and said spindle being verticallyremovable from said frame along with said member.

s 10. In wire drawing mechanism, a selfcontained unit including a hollowframe, a removable support bridging said frame, a vertical spindleprojecting above and journaled in said member, being held against axialthrust as well as laterally therein, and a drum carried by the upperprojecting end of said spindle, the lower end of thelatter beingjournaled in the bottom of said frame and said spindle being verticallyremovable from said frame along with said member.

11. In wire-drawing mechanism, a selfcontained unit including a hollowframe, a removable top plate for said frame, a vertical'spindleprojecting above and journaled in said top-plate, andia drum carried bythe upper projecting end of said spindle, the lower end of the latterbeing journaled in the bottom of said frame and said spindle beingvertically removable from said frame along with said top plate.

12. In wire-drawing mechanism, a selfeontained unit including a hollowframe, a removable top plate for said frame, a vertical spindleprojecting above and journaled in said top-plate, a drum carried by theprojecting end of said spindle, a transverse shaft j ournaled at itsrespective ends in said frame and laterally removable along with itsbearings from said frame, a worm-gear on said spindle, and a worm onsaid shaft meshing with said gear, said spindle being verticallyremovable from said frame along with said top-plate, and said frameconstituting a gear-case for said gearing, including the. lowerspindle-bearing.

Signed by me, this 4 day of April, 1924 PHILIP V. TIPPET.

